How to cope with depressive episodes?

Hey, I know these times very well. I had such periods that the bed was the only safe place for me. I would cry a lot, sleep the rest of the time and not be able to function. Not to eat, not to meet people and certainly not to go to work. What I learned is that I have to talk to the people around me and explain the situation to them. Their willingness to help me was amazing and also made me feel like I had a support system that would be there for me to pick me up when I fell. Also what helped me was to try and do activities that I know I like to do, even a little at a time. It helped me slowly get back to normal.